Weekend Spotlight: Touch-a-Truck Day, Just Play and More

Looks like we're in for a steamy weekend: When do the public pools open again? (Just kidding. I'll be doing a post on that next week.) But until then, here are some the event highlights over the next few days. As always, check out the Go West Calendar for many more events that might better fit your family's budget, interests or schedule.

TOUCH A TRUCK: The annual "Touch-a-Truck Day" put on by the Batavia Park District is scheduled for Friday from 10:30 a.m. to noon. It will be held outside the Eastside Community Center. The event is free and parent supervision is required. Don't forget your cameras .. you'll likely encounter a dump truck, tractor, bus, police car and fire truck. The rain date is Friday, May 25.

GET ACTIVE: The JustPlay! Sports & Recreational Festival is taking place Saturday and Sunday in Carol Stream, sponsored in part by the Carol Stream Park District. There is free admission, and there will be more than 100 sports, activities and performances. Before you head out, I'd recommend taking a detailed look at the schedule. There is a KidsZone, too, for the younger crowd. 

GET CRAFTY: The 5-Star Learning Ranch in Batavia (a Go West sponsor) is holding a "Craft Round-Up" on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., plus there will be a "Buckaroo Fun Fair" for the kiddies, featuring games, a bounce house, face painting and other attractions. Admission is free. 

SING, SING, SING!: Spotlight Youth Theater's Aurora Branch is performing the classic musical "Oliver!" this weekend at the Oswego East High School Performing Arts Center. Advance sale tickets are 412 for adults, $9 for children and seniors. The price is $2 higher when bought at the door. Performance times are Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. 

MUSICALS ALL AROUND:  Spotlight Youth Theater's Kane Branch is performing "Pridelands" this weekend at the Batavia Fine Arts Center. I'm not familiar with this production, but it appears to be an original work set in Africa; here's a sneak peek. Advance sale tickets are 412 for adults, $9 for children and seniors. The price is $2 higher when bought at the door. Performance times are Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. 

FOXY EVENT: The Red Oak Nature Center holds an "Animal Encounter" nearly ever month. This Sunday, your family can learn more about foxes on Sunday starting at 2 p.m. The event is free and no registration is required ... be prepared to possibly meet a live critter! 

Weekend Spotlight: Sheep, a Toad, a Beagle and More

Looks like it's going to be on the chilly side this weekend, so here's a mix of indoor and outdoor events to keep your family busy. Of course check out the Go West Calendar for events that might better fit your family's budget, interests or schedule. And of course Happy Mother's Day!

GOOD GRIEF: Spotlight Youth Theater is performing "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" in Elmhurst this weekend. This is a musical featuring all your favorites from the Peanuts gang. Tickets are $12 for adults, $9 for children and seniors, if bought in advance, and $2 more if bought at the door. Performances will be Friday evening and Saturday afternoon and evening at Timothy Christian School Auditorium in Elmhurst. 

GOT WOOL?: The Rakow Branch of the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin is hosting a free "Sheep Shearing" event on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Following the shearing process, there will be a story and wooly craft. The rain date is Sunday at 2 p.m.

MR. TOAD: Steel Beam Theatre in St. Charles is opening a new production on its children's stage this weekend. "The Mad Adventures of Mr. Toad" is a musical based on Kenneth Grahame's "Wind in the Willows." Performances are on Sundays through June 2, with this weekend's show at 1 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students. 

FREE ART: This one makes a regular appearance in the Weekend Spotlight, but only because it's such fun, offered every single Sunday afternoon and totally free! The "Awesome Art Afternoon" at Water Street Studios in Batavia allows families to spend time creating art together. There's always a project ready for you to try, and a staff member on hand to offer guidance. It's best for ages 3 and up accompanied by a parent. This drop-in session is held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays. 

Weekend Spotlight: Free Comics, Star Wars and More

Here a few highlights for the weekend ahead. Of course check the Go West Calendar for events that might better fit your family's budget, schedule or interests.

FREE COMICS: "Free Comic Book Day" is a national event aimed at exposing people to comic books as an art and entertainment form, plus giving some exposure to local comic book shops. This year, it's being celebrated on Saturday, May 4. Participating comic book shops, as well as a number of libraries, give away a free comic book to anyone who comes into the location. Here's a list of participating shops and libraries in the far western suburbs. Call them for more information and to check on any restrictions:

• Graham Crackers Comics of St. Charles: 610 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. 630-584-0610.
• Thomas Comics & Collectables: 740 East State Street, Elgin. 847-697-5550.
• Graham Crackers Comics of Wheaton: 1207 E. Butterfield Road, Wheaton. 630-668-1350. 
• Graham Crackers Comics of Naperville: 1271 Rickert Drive, #135, Naperville. 630-355-4310.
• Modern Age Comics: 1180 Dundee Ave., Elgin. 847-409-6295.
• Geneva Public Library, 127 James St., Geneva. 630-232-0780.
• Oswego Public Library, 32 W. Jefferson St. 630-554-3150.

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Weekend Spotlight: LEGOS, Free Movies, a Party for the Planet and More

Here a few highlights for the weekend ahead. Of course check the Go West Calendar for events that might better fit your family's budget, schedule or interests.

LOVE LEGOS?: Blackberry Farm in Aurora is hosting the "LEGO Bash" on Saturday and Sunday. The Chicago Area LEGO Users Group will showcase their LEGO train layouts, plus scenes and 3D creations. You'll enjoy a complimentary train ride around Lake Gregory. Additional rides are $1 per person. Admission is $4 per person for residents, $5 for residents. The event will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

FREE MOVIES: The "Free Spring Movies" series at Goodrich Quality Theaters wraps up this weekend with a showing of the animated 2012 hit "The Lorax." It will be shown at both 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday at the Kendall 10 in Oswego and the Randall 15 IMAX in Batavia. Admission is free, but tickets are available first-come, first-served.

PLANET PARTY: Cosley Zoo in Wheaton is participating in the "Party for the Planet," a national celebration that includes more than 100 other zoos and aquariums across North America. You can visit with representatives from businesses and conservation organizations and learn about a wide variety of conservation efforts related to energy, water and wildlife. The event will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Regular admission rates apply.

PRINCESS PLAY: This is the last weekend for the "Princess and the Moon," being presented by the Steel Beam Theatre in St. Charles as part of its "Children's Stage." The play concerns a princess who wants to be a knight and resolves to complete a quest to the moon. Remaining performances are Saturday at 10:30 a.m., Saturday at 1 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students. 

Weekend Spotlight: Dr. Seuss, Pirates and More

Here are a few highlights from the Go West Calendar this weekend. Of course check the calendar for events that might better fit your family's schedule, interests or budget. 

AHOY MATEYS!: The Goodrich Quality Theatres' Free Spring Movies series continues this weekend. The 2012 PG-rated film "The Pirates! Band of Misfits" will be shown at both 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday at the Randall 15 IMAX in Batavia and the Kendall 10 in Oswego. The free tickets are first-come, first-served. 

CAT IN THE HAT: The Children's Theatre of Elgin will perform "Seussical Jr." on Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon at the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin. Tickets are $11 each for adults, $9 for children. The performance will feature 80 local students in grades 2 through 8 bringing some of Dr. Seuss' favorite characters to life.

YOUNG CHILDREN: The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. This year it's being marked from April 14 through April 20. Several suburbs have celebrations planned; Aurora will be marking the occasion on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Prisco Community Center. There will be entertainment, children's activities, resources for parents and more. Admission is free.

STOMP: Ticket sales for the performance of "Stomp" at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora were so brisk that a third show was added. This show combines precision dance moves with creative percussion using everyday household items. It's been performed for 21 years! Shows are Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at noon and Sunday at 4 p.m. Tickets range from $39 to $49.